Ferdinand: United's tough start blessing in disguise for Moyes

Rio Ferdinand

Manchester United centre back, Rio Ferdinand, believes that their rough initial matches in next season’s Premier League campaign can actually help their newly appointed manager David Moyes.

The champions will have to go up against Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City in their first five league fixtures.

“This could be a blessing in disguise for the new manager and for the squad,” the defender told during an interview with the BBC.

United will defend their championship title in an away match at Swansea in the first weekend followed by a clash with Chelsea and Liverpool, followed by a match with Crystal Palace at Old Trafford before battling it out with rivals Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.

“We have a hard run of games but that is part and parcel of being a top footballer, you have to be ready at all times. If we finish that run of five or six games at the beginning of the season and we’re in good shape, who knows what is possible,” Ferdinand said.

Former Everton manager Moyes, who spent 11 years with the Toffees, will officially take over as the United’s manager on 1 July.

Given the fact that he has never won any silverware for his previous club Everton, it is understood that he has some pretty big shoes to fill- that of Alex Ferguson who won 38 trophies during his 26-year reign at Old Trafford.

But that does not faze the 34 year old Ferdinand who said: “You have to start somewhere. I never won anything before I came to Man United and in my first season we won the league. I’d like to think David Moyes would be able to do the same thing. He’s a football man, very passionate and just the right ingredient we needed at the club when Sir Alex Ferguson left.”

Source: BBC Sport